The Reef Podcast

Lee Kirtley is a second-degree black belt based in Stockton on Teeside and runs Innovation Jiu Jitsu. Lee sits down with Scott and Alain for a candid chat about gradings, how he applies judo in nearly all of his classes as well as talking about how to go about getting promoted. 

Today’s guest is the kind of grappler you hate seeing across from you on competition day. Calm face, bad intentions. A European Championship medallist, and one of the most consistently dangerous competitors on the international circuit. He’s gone toe-to-toe with the best in the world, stacked medals across IBJJF majors, and built a reputation for pressure, precision, and breaking people mentally before the tap ever comes. This is a man who’s done the hard rounds, travelled the world chasing wins, and backed it all up when it mattered most. No gimmicks, no noise, just results and receipts.

In this episode of our The Reef podcast, the mats take a back seat as we roll into the world of gaming consoles. Scott and Alain swap stories about their favourite systems—from old-school PlayStations and Nintendos to next-gen powerhouses like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Expect plenty of laughs as they debate which console reigns supreme, compare gaming to grappling, and reveal how gaming helps (or hinders) recovery days. It’s a fun, off-topic chat that shows another side of the BJJ lifestyle—where fighting for arm bars meets fighting final bosses. Perfect for gamers who love jiu-jitsu

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up! On today’s episode, we’ve got one of the driving forces of Polish Jiu-Jitsu — Coach Krzysztof Łukaszewicz! A black belt who lives and breathes the grind, Krzysztof has been tearing it up on the mats for years, building champions and pushing Polish BJJ onto the global stage. Known for his razor-sharp technique, relentless energy, and no-nonsense coaching style, he’s the guy who can take your game apart and rebuild it stronger than ever. Get ready to hear his story, his philosophy, and what it takes to build a winning culture inside the academy. This is one you don’t want to miss!

We're Back!  After a crazy summer, some normality has resumed for us here at The Reef Podcast.  With no guest, Scott sits down with Alain and answers your questions on everything BJJ for new coaches, new white belts and seasoned competitors. 

Darragh O’Conaill, a second-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt hailing from Dublin, is now based in Alicante, Spain. A standout middleweight on the European circuit, he’s a 4-time IBJJF European No-Gi Champion and has triumphed at prestigious tournaments like the London and American National No-Gi Opens. Under the mentorship of Saulo and Alexandre Ribeiro, Darragh also leads East Coast Jiu-Jitsu Academy, a major force in Ireland’s BJJ scene. From rugby fields to world-class mats, his journey is one of grit, growth, and devotion. Stick around as we dive deep into his technique, coaching ethos, and why he’s become a BJJ icon

Gabriel Sousa is one of the best No-Gi players in the world - and has won numerous World titles and fought in and won Silver at ADCC in Las Vegas.  He sat down along side AJP Silver medlist Jobson Apolinàrio (Bobby) for a chat about growning up in brazil, the challanges that faced as well as fighting gringos!

Lucas Luz is a third-degree Gracie Black belt under Robin Gracie.  Lucas has schools in Swindon and Gloucester and popped over to Essex to teach a packed seminar at Reef.  Lucas has just returned from an AJP event where he won Gold in both Gi and No-Gi, and speaks openly about how it's not always about the sub, but about pressure.

Alain and Leon fly to Belfast to train and teach at New Ground BJJ.  They sit down with Jean Luca, Martin McCleghan and Sam Hutchinson for a good old natter and get gate-crached by ADCC fighter and head coach at Enso BJJ, Taylor Pearman.  Strap in!

Reiss Bailey from New School BJJ in Brixton joins Scott and Alain for this no-holds barred, honest, and raw chat about everything BJJ.  Reiss is a brand new Black Belt, and discusses competition mindset and how to bring the exposure levels of the Gi game up to the level of NoGi.  Some people may find this episode controversial! 

This week, the incredible Tom Barlow from EscapologyBJJ in Cambridge is chatting with Alain and Scott.  Tom is a seasoned Black Belt with European and World Championships.  Tom also commentates for Polaris and has seen the best grapplers first hand for years - also a lover of a white gi for reasons we discuss.

With Scott travelling with work and Alain teaching in Poland after spending days in Portugal at the IBJJF European Championships, we've got Chris and Jay from The Better than Average Podcast stepping in (albeit a week late), so strap in for an hour of hilarity! 

S'up!  This time, an abridged version of the podcast, with Alain and Leon still in Portugal at the IBJJF European Championships, Scott flies solo and talks about the importance of supporting your instructors who step in to cover the classes - back to normal next time!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We're back for 2025, and what a way to start with the incredible Hayley Jenkins!  Hayley is a PT, sports nutritionist and online coach.  Hayley won Gold at the IBJJF European Championships in Paris and was given her Blue Belt on the Podium, and until a significant injury, was taking the competition circuit by storm.  Hayley talks about how being strong mentally has helped and diversified her approach to keeping fit and staying positive. (Instagram @workoutwithhayley)

Happy Christmas!  We hope you've enjoyed the festive period, whatever you've done! Strap in if you're bored at work or while the kids build their new Lego! In this episode, the three of us talk about the year in competitions and what goals we have for 2025 - no matter how big or small.

Tommy is a world-class BJJ player who fights in events worldwide and is a Progress-sponsored athlete.  Alain and Scott sit down for a good chat about how he found Jiu-Jitsu in 2012 and the path he is on now to becoming one of the best -70kg fighters on the planet

World meet Leon - a Blue Belt taking the competition scene by storm, he's also pretty handy with a video camera (not like that) and produces all our Reel content as well as filming at competitions, so we all sit down and talk about entering BJJ competitions.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris and Jay, who train with Alain and run the very successful, and not to mention hilarious, Better than Average podcast.  As you can hear, we just opened up the mics and hit record as we talked off-script about our experiences training and some stories you're gonna want to hear! STRAP IN!

Rob Manlove is a past CrossFit gym owner with a vast knowledge of health and fitness and what it takes to get and keep you physically at the top of your game.  He runs a successful YouTube channel (link below) on improving your mobility through different techniques and exercises and knows how to fuel your body for optimum performance.     https://youtube.com/@robertmanlove?si=Dpx15_m2NZCxsMZQ

Chris and Toni are not only Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu black belts but are also Judo Black belts and run Luna BJJ in Thurrock in South Essex.  We sit down with them both and have a chat about their upbringing and the transition from high-level Judo players as kids, to dominant BJJ players.  Toni won Gold at the IBJJF European Championships in 2023.

Spencer Hewitt is a seasoned MMA and BJJ competitor.  He's a 2x European Gold Medalist in No-Gi and the ADCC Masters European Champion.  Alain and Scott talk with him about his career, what the Essex BJJ scene was like before it burst into the mainstream, and what makes a good coach.

In this episode, Scott and Alain sit down with local MMA royalty Jack Mason. We talk about him starting on his journey to 48 professional MMA fights, being part of one of the most exciting UFC fighters to date, Arnold Allen, and the injury that sent him viral!

Hello and welcome to a new and exciting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Podcast! Your hosts, Alain Pozi and Scott Johnson, are embarking on a new BJJ podcast based right here in Essex. Each podcast will feature amazing interviews with world-class BJJ players and coaches, plus health and nutrition advice from experts. We'll also have a forum where you can send messages and questions to us via Instagram @TheReefPodcast, and Scott will ask your questions on your behalf.